One card short of a full deck
About thirty years ago, I clambered up the slippery sides of a deep, dark well and then teetered on the edge of it for some time, staring back down into the murky depths and trying not to slip.
Searching for an existence that was different from reality, I had a few Tarot readings. I can’t recall being told anything of significance – I think the readers quickly intuited that I was one card short of a full deck, and provided a bit of counselling, then sent me away feeling hopeful about the future.
It was around this time I discovered The Connolly Tarot deck. Its brightness and positivity were just what I needed from the tarot back then – in fact I’ve just looked it up on the internet and found it summed up beautifully (by Aeclectic Tarot) as having “kinder, gentler tarot imagery with a Christian influence”.
Back then, I didn’t have internet access to track down a copy, but managed to get one from a lovely little shop call “Strangeness and Charm” that used to be in Worcester and sold that sort of thing. I think they actually ordered it for me. That’s how it worked before online shopping.
I took it home and spent some time looking through the cards and getting to know them. There was something healing about the images and their key meanings. They reminded me of stained-glass windows.
Instead of The Devil, we have Materialism and instead of Death it’s Transformation. In the ten of swords, the swords are pointing away from the subject as if her energy is deflecting them.
I quickly noticed the three of wands was missing, despite the deck being brand new and cellophane sealed. Oh well. I substituted one of the two extra cards in the box, which I guess are the equivalent of jokers in playing cards.
The Connolly Tarot became the deck that I’ve used regularly since that day. I don’t use them for divination – I’m not a tarot reader – I just like the cards and enjoy shuffling them and seeing what crops up when I fan them out face-down and randomly draw a spread. I’m sure the cards have their own energy, because I tend to do the same spread three times, and it’s uncanny how often the same cards come out, no matter how thoroughly I shuffle them.
Much as I love The Connolly Tarot, when I created The Lighthouse Tarot, I went for an entirely different feel, favouring a painterly style rather than clearly drawn outlines and borders. I reserved the sharpness for the symbols and text, keeping the background loose and flowing. In a much happier place, I favoured the traditional Rider-Waite-Smith definitions, with The Devil and Death, and with swords that are about to hit the target unless evasive action is taken. Remember, we are empowered to steer our own course – the outcome is not inevitable.
I’ve acquired a few other decks over the years but The Connolly Tarot is the only one I’ve really bonded with and use regularly. After thirty years, I should probably have got over the missing three of wands, yet it still irked me slightly when the substitute card came out in a spread. First world problem, I know!
Recently, I found a tarot card group on Facebook where people create “Magpie” decks by putting together their favourite cards from various split decks. I’m not sure how that works when the backs of the cards, and possibly the sizes are different. Surely you know which card you are drawing by the design on the back? Still, that’s not the point.
Members of this group trade the surplus cards they don’t use, so if anyone is searching for a particular card, there’s a chance someone out there might have it. I asked, and someone from the USA responded that they had it going spare 🙂
It was no surprise that when I knew the three of wands was heading my way, the substitute card cropped up persistently in my Celtic cross for a week or two. The cards also tend to reflect my mood, so if I’m in a funk, all the swords come out!
Well … I drafted this post over a month ago, and the three of wands appears to have lost its way. Is this a message from the universe that my deck is complete as it is? Or simply an indication that the postal service has gone to sh*t!
Will it turn up now that I’ve shared this? Don’t worry, I’ll let you know! 😉
Happy Easter, everyone xxx
Word on a Whim 